TY  - JOUR
T1  - Evaluation of Hydrolysed Feather Meal as a Protein Source in Rabbit Diets
AU - , Bisi Alex Ayanwale 
JO  - Research Journal of Biological Sciences
VL  - 1
IS  - 1
SP  - 32
EP  - 35
PY  - 2006
DA  - 2001/08/19
SN  - 1815-8846
DO  - rjbsci.2006.32.35
UR  - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=rjbsci.2006.32.35
KW  - Evaluation
KW  -hydrolysed
KW  -feather meal
KW  -protein source
KW  -rabbit diets
AB  - An 8- week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the utilization of Feather Meal (FM) as a protein source in rabbit diets. A total of 24 weaned rabbits, hybrids of New Zealand White and Black, were used for the work in 4 treatment groups. Four types of feeds containing 0.0 (control), 5.0, 10.0 and 15.0 % FM were formulated and designated T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. The 24 weaned rabbits were randomly allotted to each of these diets. There were 6 rabbits in each treatment group and 3 replicates per group with 2 rabbits per replicate. Each replicate has an equal number of male and female rabbits (ratio 1:1). The rabbits were fed on <I>Luffa aegyptiaca</I> as forage in addition to the formulated concentrate. The feeding trial lasted for 8 weeks. Proximate and amino analysis of FM were carried out including proximate analysis of <I>Luffa aegyptiaca.</I> The results show that FM contains 82 % crude protein and is rich in iron, manganese and zinc and that <I>Luffa</I> <I>aegyptiaca</I> has about 16.0 % CP. Rabbits fed the control diet had significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower body weight (1085.0 g), weight gain (686.68 g) and daily concentrate intake (66.48 g) per rabbit compared to those fed 15.0 % FM. No significant (p&gt;0.05)  differences  in  the  intake  of  luffa  among  the different   treatment   groups.  Total  feed  intake (forage + concentrate) was greater (133.84 g) in the control than in 15 % FM-fed rabbits. It was concluded that rabbits could be fed on feather meal up to 15% level with improved performance.
ER  -